Chapter 11, "Our Difficulties" Summary

Vandyck sums up his and his friends' view of marriage as follows: "He goes on with his business, and she adapts herself to him and to it." (pg. 122) Vandyck, Jeff, and Terry had all assumed that the women would adhere to their husband's views. Even though the women had expressed opposing opinions, the men still believed the women would naturally set aside their own views after marriage. This turns out not to be the case. Vandyck admits the love they receive from their wives is sublime, yet the women make no changes. They refuse to give up their careers and will not move in with their husbands. Each husband and each wife has his or her own personal set of rooms within larger communal buildings. No one in Herland has her own home. The women cannot understand...